Fun Stories: Random City Limits is a nonfiction humor/comedy book written by R. Scott Murphy. Murphy describes himself as a storyteller who also enjoys tossing out “random bits of whimsy” in addition to his flash fiction short stories. And as randomness often works, sometimes the result is but a few sentences in length, but equally possible are longer digressions as random sentences somehow do morph into random tales. Readers and others familiar with his Fun Stories books and his website suggested that he put some of his random bits into a book, which is what he’s done with this book. It is, as he describes it, “a whole boatload of randomness.” Each random tidbit is accompanied by an original graphic image, photograph or collage. A number of them share details of the author’s propensity for collecting oddly named musical groups, which participate in random battles of the band, hosted by Bruce Buffer. I checked at least a few of the names, and, odd as it may seem, the ones I checked at least were real.

Fun Stories: Random City Limits is a delight, a candy box filled with bizarre and funny outpourings that include lessons of economics as taught by elementary school students, fun things to do with inflatable Santas during the holiday season and the poignancy of his one-week-long fourth grade romance. I will confess to having an extreme aversion to stand-up comedy and a fairly impaired sense of humor, so any humorist has a big challenge when I pick up their book. Murphy’s particular (and decidedly peculiar) style of humor actually works for me, and I had a marvelous time reading this book. My favorite random bit? That’s easy -- it would have to be Post-It Bandit. Murphy describes it as being somewhat akin to the old banana peel stunt, something which actually does get a laugh out of me, even if it’s tinged with some guilt. The vision of the prankster sneaking around leaving post-its that confound and bemuse is irresistible -- because it is funny, really. The illustrations that accompany each random bit are also brilliant. Fun Stories: Random City Limits is most highly recommended.

Fun Stories: Random City Limits by R. Scott Murphy is a fun book in the Humor/Comedy category. It is the third in the Fun Stories series, the first two having been rated best on Amazon Humor. In one story, the author tells of an experience where he got to date a certain girl for a week without talking to her at all! A couple of times, he compares band names and goes ahead to list some which sounded very hilarious. As I read the book, I also got some ideas of how to “help” America! From reading R. Scott Murphy’s experiences at the gym and with his nutritionist, you will get to look at life from a new perspective, basically looking for humor and excitement in ordinary places.

The most outstanding feature of Fun Stories: Random City Limits is the author’s way with words. R. Scott Murphy’s ability to make ordinary moments stand out while identifying the humor in them is simply noteworthy. The images are creative and comical. One image that introduces the primitive man story in the book was quite witty and spot on. The book also made for a quick fun read that I was able to complete in one sitting. In addition, the new excuse that is proposed by the author for not doing homework was out of this world. Gatorade for the Soul was another outstanding story. Reading Fun Stories: Random City Limits is definitely worthwhile. The stories will leave any reader in stitches as they enjoy Murphy’s creativity.

Fun Stories: Random City Limits by R. Scott Murphy is a compilation of the author's hilarious thoughts and memories. Provided in an anthology style format, Murphy dishes out sample sized tidbits of his life in a manner most can relate to, including one called Sample Sized Life, where he assures us all that there are others out in the world who will also put anything in their mouths when served on a toothpick in big box wholesale stores. From pre-pubescent love with a week-long girlfriend that he never once spoke to in Fourth Grade Romance, to skillfully calibrating gym equipment to superhuman weight - only when he's certain another person is looking - Murphy sheds light on the most mundane, comical happenings of Everyman.

If you're looking for a quick pick me up, you'll find it in R. Scott Murphy's Fun Stories. My personal favorite is Team Gutenberg is not Amused in which the trials and tribulations of auto-correct in text messages is exposed to be universal. Like Murphy, I'm sure most of us are all really tired of its "shirt". My husband and I spent what may have been a tragically boring night laughing as we read each little story out loud, interjecting similar experiences of our own. Okay, that's still tragic for a Saturday night but, thankfully, Murphy made it anything but boring. I'd recommend this book on all break room tables, living room ottomans, or by the toilets in any respectable workplace bathroom stall and home throne. An easy five stars for this gem.